Subtle suggestions, clues, or indirect indications intended to help someone understand or discover something without stating it explicitly.
From Middle English 'henten' meaning 'to grasp or catch,' related to Old English 'hentan.' Originally meant to catch or seize something, evolving to mean catching onto an indirect suggestion.
The word 'hint' originally meant to physically grab or catch something, which beautifully captures how we 'catch' subtle meanings and 'grasp' implied suggestions! This physical metaphor shows how understanding indirect communication feels like reaching out and grabbing something that's not quite within plain sight.
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